- Joined
- Jun 22, 2021
- Messages
- 97
So, I need to get my garden ready for next year. I have no idea what I'm doing. None. No clue. Attached are pics of the area. Right now, it's overgrown, but the goats are helping me out with it
Where I am
I am in far north central Texas, south of Wichita Falls, USDA zone 7a/8b. Elevation is about 1100', we get about 34" of rain per year.
My Needs
I am one person, living alone, but I want to have capacity for 2-3 people. I want to prioritize survival crops with as much calorie density as I can get, while also having a variety, so as to get the vitamin/minerals, etc. So for right now that list is, in this order, potatoes, carrots, beans, corn, okra, cherry/grape tomatoes, spinach, raspberries, strawberries. I want to be as organic and natural as possible. The goal is full nutritional self-sufficiency in case of ... let's just say "bad times".
What I Have
The Very Rough Plan
Other Considerations
Questions:
I'm trying to figure out exactly, precisely what to do and not do, so that I can set this up correctly and once. I am too inexperienced to know the difference between snake oil and the truly effective things to buy. And maybe I need to just expect that the first year will just be mostly a failure to learn from (and that's okay).
Perhaps the only way to become competent is to just start doing it!
SW corner looking NE
SW Corner looking north
NE corner looking south
West side looking east:
Diagram
Where I am
I am in far north central Texas, south of Wichita Falls, USDA zone 7a/8b. Elevation is about 1100', we get about 34" of rain per year.
My Needs
I am one person, living alone, but I want to have capacity for 2-3 people. I want to prioritize survival crops with as much calorie density as I can get, while also having a variety, so as to get the vitamin/minerals, etc. So for right now that list is, in this order, potatoes, carrots, beans, corn, okra, cherry/grape tomatoes, spinach, raspberries, strawberries. I want to be as organic and natural as possible. The goal is full nutritional self-sufficiency in case of ... let's just say "bad times".
What I Have
- My garden area is raised beds, made with cinderblocks. Has to be raised beds. In the three long beds to the north I have 160 sqft in each bed, times 3 equals 480 sqft total (not counting the "other" bed, that one is a contingency bed, just because). Around these beds is an 8ft fence made with hog panels, mainly to keep out deer and bigger thieves. Raccoons, rabbits, mice are a lost cause. They're getting in. Hopefully the dog/cats will deter them.
- To the west of the garden is the orchard, with 9 brand-new fruit trees planted this year,(apple/pear/plum)
- On the other end of the property (about 700 ft away) are 15 active honeybee hives.
- I have a great pyrenees dog, two adult male cats, and four spanish-boer goats.
The Very Rough Plan
- Early next year, these raised beds will be filled with a combination of locally sourced topsoil and ... something else, don't know what yet. Compost, potting mix, etc. etc.
- Put up a hoop house covering all three long beds, covered with fine mesh (not plastic), mainly to somewhat control flying insects, pests.
- Install something that isn't drip irrigation(the hard water clogs the little gizmos)
Other Considerations
- The well water here is ridiculously, crazy, stupid hard. Like gravel coming out of the tap, it's nuts.
- Forget about digging in the dirt. 5-6 inches of topsoil, then solid rock everywhere, some the size of trashcans.
- Incidentally, I will also have 9 almond trees (Texas mission and hall's hardy) coming in spring to be planted in various spots around my place
- I want to free-range the chickens. Right now they have an enclosed coop/run
- I work from home, and am here pretty much here all the time
Questions:
- Do I really even need to do the hoop house? Texas has a pretty long growing season, right? So I should be able to grow enough to eat and can for the winter. Also ... if I cover all the plants, the bees won't be able to get to them. But if I don't cover them, then pests. Or am I going to have pests anyway?
- What should I mix in with the topsoil to give crops the best chance? Potting mix? Peat moss?
I'm trying to figure out exactly, precisely what to do and not do, so that I can set this up correctly and once. I am too inexperienced to know the difference between snake oil and the truly effective things to buy. And maybe I need to just expect that the first year will just be mostly a failure to learn from (and that's okay).
Perhaps the only way to become competent is to just start doing it!
SW corner looking NE
SW Corner looking north
NE corner looking south
West side looking east:
Diagram